6bulb T5 lighting Combo's

[monte5000]

Hello,

My tank is almost 2 years old and I am now migrating into keeping SPS's!! I don't feel my current bulb combo make the color's pop in my corals!! I was wondering, if anyone had any suggestions on what color bulb combos I could use to make my corols stunning!! Color and growth is my goal!! Any help would be appriciated!! :bounce2:

 

[pusanpa]

I have tried so many bulb combo so far my favorite is
front

blue+
purple+
blue+
purple+
blue+
purple+

rear

I just replace one of the purple plus to aquablue special.....it is nice but color is slightly more washed out.

 

[Reefsi]

Well first thing is first. What are the dimensions and volume of your tank? There are many options when it comes to lighting and to maintain both growth and color is tough sometimes. The lower you go in the K scale the better the growth but the more red or yellow the bulbs will be. The higher the K scale the better the color, so the more blue the bulbs will be. I use 20k 150w MH in my tank and receive amazing color and sustain great growth. I also have 4 96w power compacts 50/50 that helps the growth. The lighting color is a blueish white and i could not be happier.
10k=Growth
14k=median
20k=Color
How deep is the tank as that will determine the light needed.

 

[Fsurocks99]

pusanpa did exactly what i did, 4 Blue + and 2 purple +, gives great color. But, I wanted a little more growth this time around, so I swapped a purple + for an aqua blue special.

 

[monte5000]

@ Pusanpa and Fsurocks99!! Thanx alot!!! Would both of you mind posting pics of your tanks so I could get an idea of the color scheme for the tank?

 

[monte5000]

Well first thing is first. What are the dimensions and volume of your tank? There are many options when it comes to lighting and to maintain both growth and color is tough sometimes. The lower you go in the K scale the better the growth but the more red or yellow the bulbs will be. The higher the K scale the better the color, so the more blue the bulbs will be. I use 20k 150w MH in my tank and receive amazing color and sustain great growth. I also have 4 96w power compacts 50/50 that helps the growth. The lighting color is a blueish white and i could not be happier.
10k=Growth
14k=median
20k=Color
How deep is the tank as that will determine the light needed.

I have a 75 gallon mixed reef tank (48 1/2-by-18 1/2-by-21 3/8 inches) SPS's, LPS's, and softees. I have 2 powerheads (1) 800 GPH (1) 1200 GPH. 7.5 mag return pump, 30 gallon sump w/ refugium. Current bulb combo: 2 blue+, 2 blue special (actinic) 1 figi purple, 1 purple special (light purple/pink).

 

[Fsurocks99]

@ Pusanpa and Fsurocks99!! Thanx alot!!! Would both of you mind posting pics of your tanks so I could get an idea of the color scheme for the tank?

Sure here's a few:

This is with 4 Blue + and 2 Purple +.

I should note that the top pic is taken by a DSLR, whereas, the bottom one is by a point and shoot. That is why there is such a difference in the white balance.

 

[michael.lemke]

In my 75 I use

Super actinic
Blue +
Fiji purple
Aqua blue
Blue +
Super actinic

 

[monte5000]

Sure here's a few:

This is with 4 Blue + and 2 Purple +.

I should note that the top pic is taken by a DSLR, whereas, the bottom one is by a point and shoot. That is why there is such a difference in the white balance.

Your 40 breeder tank is awesome!! With you current bulb combo, do you find your SPS's have better color or growth or is it a 50-50 between the 2??

 

[monte5000]

In my 75 I use

Super actinic
Blue +
Fiji purple
Aqua blue
Blue +
Super actinic

Your tank is awesome as well!! I like the color of your Monti !! Same question for you as Fsurocks99!! With your current bulb combo, do you find that you have better colors or growth or is it 50-50 between the 2?? Also, the super actinic light is that white or yellow tint?

 

[GSMguy]

Super actinic is a purple bulb.

My suggestion

Blue+
Blue+
Purple+
GE 6500k
Blue+
blue+

 

[monte5000]

Thanx GSMguy!!!Would you mind sharing some pics of your tank with this color combo?

 

[michael.lemke]

Your tank is awesome as well!! I like the color of your Monti !! Same question for you as Fsurocks99!! With your current bulb combo, do you find that you have better colors or growth or is it 50-50 between the 2?? Also, the super actinic light is that white or yellow tint?

Thanks! I am getting great growth even with the lighting tilted toward the color side of things. I think that t5's have a lot more par than most think. I have the fixture 10" off the water and only run all 6 bulbs together for a couple hours a day. Mostly 4 or 2 bulbs. Super actinic is a very purple bulb.

 

[Fsurocks99]

Your 40 breeder tank is awesome!! With you current bulb combo, do you find your SPS's have better color or growth or is it a 50-50 between the 2??

Thanks! I agree with michael that growth is great under the t-5s even if you focus more on the color versus growth. I compare it to a 14k metal halide. You get great color and growth. It's a happy medium. I haven't run this combo long enough to say whether growth is better than the 4 blue + and 2 purple + combo, but I assume it will be with the aqua blue special...hope this helps.